Big Brown is turning into a rock star. Conventional media (perhaps with some prodding from UPS) is cranking up the hype machine in advance of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. The son of Danzig is priced at 4-1 to win, the same as Colonel John. Can we conclude that Big Brown is overvalued?

Not in horse racing. Picking the best horse in the field is a bit like picking the best painting in a gallery. Art critics will be universally drawn to a masterpiece; owners, trainers and jockeys feel the same way about Big Brown. He is a fantastic piece of genetic engineering, as Street Sense was last year. “He’s a major talent, possibly the best horse I’ve ridden,” jockey Kent Desormeaux told reporters after Big Brown’s majestic win at the Florida Derby.

Colonel John, meanwhile, is getting short odds despite racing on synthetic tracks in each of his six career races. How will he handle the dirt on Saturday?